Invest in gaming stocks

Discover popular stocks plus considerations when investing in the gaming industry.

Compare platforms to buy gaming stocks Compare platform features
See popular gaming stocks Popular gaming stocks

Gaming has come a long way since Pong, one of the earliest video games, based on ping-pong, released in 1972. These days, games are much more complicated and sophisticated — often with a “world”, a storyline, characters and music. Because of this, modern day games can take several years, potentially even an entire decade, to develop.

This means that growth on gaming stocks could be stagnant for a period of time but could see rapid growth over short periods, potentially in the run up to a game release or shortly after. If the game doesn’t meet expectations, the stock price may fall.

What are gaming stocks?

Gaming stocks are the shares of companies that develop and sell video games. Some game design companies are directly listed on the stock market, while some are owned by larger companies that are listed, so it’s worth looking into what other companies you might be investing in. The gaming industry is booming, and you don’t even need to be a hardcore “gamer” to contribute to it, even Candy Crush counts! New technology, such as VR, means that there’s always new ways to play games.

How to invest in gaming stocks

  1. Choose stocks to invest in. You can check out some gaming stocks below and find out more about them.
  2. Choose an investment platform. You’ll need one that lets you invest in the stock exchange that your chosen stocks are listed on.
  3. Sign up and fund your account. You might need to wait for your account to be verified and for your funds to hit the account before you can begin.
  4. Find your chosen stock. You can search its name or ticker.
  5. Review and buy. It’s as easy as that!
Best for 0% commission stocks
eToro Free Stocks logo
Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. Fees apply.
Copy picks from top traders
4.3 ★★★★★
Commission-free trades
Fractional shares
Get dividend payments
Best for fractional shares
XTB logo
Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Earn 4.75% on uninvested funds
4.4 ★★★★★
Commission-free trades
Fractional shares
5,400+ stocks/ETFs
Best for US shares
CMC Invest share dealing account logo
Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Try Plus free for 3 months
4.4 ★★★★★
Commission-free trades
3,000+ stocks
Real-time live pricing

UK gaming stocks

You might not recognise the names of some UK gaming companies, but you’ll certainly recognise some of the games they have produced or companies they have worked with. Here are some UK gaming stocks.

Team17 logo

Team17

Team17 is a video game developer and publisher based in the UK. It’s known for its artillery game Worms as well as several sequels to the game, including Worms: Open Warfare and Worms: A Space Oddity.

Buy Team17 shares

Keywords Studios logo

Keywords Studios

Keywords Studios is a video game company based in Ireland. It offers localisation services, translation and player support for video game software. It also offers game development services and game testing. Keywords Studios has acquired many companies over the years, all offering different services to the video game industry.

Buy Keywords Studios shares

Frontier Developments logo

Frontier Developments

Frontier Developments is a video game developer in the UK. It developed RollerCoaster Tycoon, as well as several sequels, including RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Wacky Worlds, RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Time Twister and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3. In more recent years, it has created Jurassic World Evolution, Planet Zoo and Elite Dangerous: Odyssey. It is currently developing two unnamed games: one which will be a Formula One management game, and another that will be a Warhammer Age of Sigmar strategy game.

Buy Frontier Developments shares

Investing in gaming stocks from the UK

Some of the most recognisable gaming companies are listed on global stock exchanges, so if you invest in some global stocks, you can get exposure to them. Remember to account for foreign exchange fees when comparing trading platforms.

Nintendo logo

Nintendo

Nintendo is a multinational video game company in Japan. Nintendo is the company behind Mario, a red-overalled plumber who saves Princess Peach with the help of his brother, Luigi. Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch, has sold nearly 93 million units, almost catching up with the Wii (101.63 million).

Buy Nintendo shares

Activision Blizzard logo

Microsoft

Activision Blizzard is a video game holding company based in the US, that was acquired by Microsoft in 2023. Activision Blizzard encompassed Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, King, Major League Gaming, Activision Studios and was behind Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Guitar Hero and Candy Crush Saga. Now, under the Microsoft umbrella, it sits alongside Xbox, but also a host of non-gaming related brands.

Buy Microsoft shares

Take-Two Interactive logo

Take-Two Interactive

Like Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive is a video game holding company which owns two publishing labels: Rockstar Games and 2K, both of which develop games.

2K is the company behind BioShock, Borderlands, Civilisation and Mafia.

Buy Take-Two Interactive shares

Why invest in gaming stocks?

The gaming industry was one of the winners of the pandemic — what else were we all going to be doing with our time? Video gaming might seem a little childish or foolish, but it remains a growing industry that’s currently booming.

There are loads of different types of games, from mobile apps designed to kill time waiting for the bus or at the doctor’s, to sophisticated multiplayer games that require high powered computers. This broadens the target audience, which makes the industry more sought after.

Compare platforms to buy gaming stocks

Product UKFST Finder Score Min. initial deposit Price per trade Frequent trader rate Platform fees Offer Link
FREE TRADES
eToro Free Stocks
4.3
★★★★★
$100
£0 on stocks
N/A
£0
XTB
4.4
★★★★★
£0
£0
£0
£0
Earn up to 4.75% interest on uninvested cash.
InvestEngine
4.4
★★★★★
£100
£0
N/A
0% - 0.25%
Get a Welcome Bonus of up to £50 when you invest at least £100 with InvestEngine. T&Cs apply.
Hargreaves Lansdown Fund and Share Account
4.2
★★★★★
£1
£11.95
£5.95
£0 (0.45% for funds)
OFFER
Freetrade
4.4
★★★★★
£1
£0
N/A
£0
Get a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up and deposit at least £50. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
IG Share Dealing
4.1
★★★★★
£0
From £8
From £0
£8 per month
Get 0% commission on US shares. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
Wealthify
4.2
★★★★★
£1
£0
N/A
0.6%
interactive investor Trading Account
4.2
★★★★★
£0
£3.99 (free regular investing)
£0
From £4.99 a month
Pay no account fee for 6 months when you open an ii Trading Account. Offer ends 31 December. Capital at risk. Terms & trading fees apply. New customers only.
SaxoInvestor Share Dealing Account
4.3
★★★★★
£0
£3
N/A
0.12% per year
Limited time offer: Zero commission on 100 US stocks for new customers. T&Cs apply.
Moneyfarm
3.9
★★★★★
£1
£3.95
N/A
£0
Charles Stanley share dealing account
3.6
★★★★★
£0
£11.50
N/A
0.35%
Get up to £1,500 cashback when you transfer your cash and/or investments to Charles Stanley Direct. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
CMC Invest share dealing account
4.4
★★★★★
£0
£0
N/A
£0
Get your first 3 months free when you upgrade to Plus plan. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
Trading212
4.7
★★★★★
£1
£0
£0
£0
Get free fractional shares worth up to £100 when you sign up with Finder’s link and use the code “FINDER”. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
loading

The risks of gaming stocks

This industry does well while companies are releasing new hardware and software — if there’s not much going on in terms of new releases, the stocks might be quite stagnant. This isn’t necessarily because the companies don’t have anything to show, they could just all be knuckling down on their products.

Some gaming companies might create gambling products — consider whether these match with your personal values. You can’t pick and choose parts of a company that you want to invest in, so if these are products you’d rather avoid, you’d want to steer clear from the entire company.

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.


Bottom line

Gaming is everywhere — smartphones allow us to carry games with us all the time, and new hardware is being released every few years. Alongside this, games are becoming more and more sophisticated, often being turned into sequels, with additional downloadable content and expansion packs on offer, keeping the games fresh for consumers and pushing up revenue. Investing in gaming stocks might allow you to get in on the action, and could hopefully see some good growth in the next few years.

Browse all media stock guides

Zoe Stabler DipFA's headshot
Senior writer

Zoe was a senior writer at Finder specialising in investment and banking, and during this time, she joined the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2022. She is currently a senior money writer at Be Clever With Your Cash. Zoe has a BA in English literature and a Diploma for Financial Advisers. She has several years of experience in writing about all things personal finance. Zoe has a particular love for spreadsheets, having also worked as a management accountant. In her spare time, you’ll find Zoe skating at her local ice rink. See full bio

Zoe's expertise
Zoe has written 163 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Share dealing
  • Reviews and comparisons of trading platforms
  • Robo-advisors
  • Pensions
  • Banking

More guides on Finder

  • How to buy Reddit shares

    Everything we know about the Reddit IPO, plus information on how to buy shares.

  • How to buy Vue Cinema shares when it goes public

    Everything we know about the Vue Cinema IPO, plus information on how to buy shares.

  • How to buy GameStop shares

    You can own GameStop shares in just a few minutes by using an online share dealing platform. Our table lets you compare the UK’s leading share dealing accounts to find the right one for you.

  • How to buy Flutter Entertainment shares

    Thinking about buying shares in Flutter Entertainment? We explain how to do it and compare a range of providers who will give you access to global markets.

  • How to buy Activision Blizzard shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in Activision Blizzard? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Activision Blizzard.

  • How to buy Merlin Entertainments shares

    Find out how to buy shares in Merlin Entertainments, see Merlin Entertainments’ share prices over the last three months and check out our must-do checklist if you’re looking to invest.

  • How to buy Cineworld Group shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in Cineworld? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Cineworld.

  • How to buy Take Two shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in Take-Two Interactive? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Take-Two Interactive.

  • How to buy Games Workshop Group shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in Games Workshop? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Games Workshop.

Go to site